Not Just Surviving… But Thriving
Almost two years here… and I am still learning.
When I first moved to Beijing, I thought the biggest challenge would be the language.
Mandarin is not easy. The tones alone can humble you very quickly.
But surprisingly, the real lessons had nothing to do with grammar.
They were everyday lessons. The kind you only learn when you are far from home, navigating unfamiliar streets, unfamiliar culture, and sometimes even unfamiliar versions of yourself.
Beijing didn’t just teach me how to survive.
It taught me how to thrive.
Here are 12 things I learned in Beijing.
1. Learn to Stand Your Ground… Literally
If you ride the subway in China, you will understand this immediately.
It is crowded during rush hour. Really crowded.
One of the first things I learned was how to balance without holding the rail. Plant your feet firmly. Align your body with the train’s movement.
Feet grounded. Body steady.
It sounds simple, but it taught me something deeper.
Sometimes survival is simply learning how to stay steady when everything around you is moving.
2. Five Words Can Take You Far
Learned this from my laoshi (teacher).
Sometimes a few words are enough.
Nǐ hǎo — Hello
Xiè xie — Thank you
Duì bu qǐ — Sorry
Bāng máng — Help
Tīng bù dǒng — I don’t understand
These simple words go a long way.
In Chinese culture, even a basic greeting like “Nǐ hǎo” shows respect. Saying thank you and sorry sincerely matters.
And when you reach that point, just smile, take out your phone, and start translating.
With these words and a sincere effort, doors open.
Because people can sense effort.
3. Flat Shoes Are the Real Power Move
Back home, I used to think formal meant heels.
Not in China.
I noticed something interesting: even professionals in sharp office attire wear comfortable rubber shoes.
Why?
Because people walk a lot.
Many bring office shoes and change once they arrive.
Practical. Efficient. No unnecessary suffering.
Sometimes, wisdom is simply choosing comfort over unnecessary elegance.
4. When Lost, There Is One Lifeline: Didi
If you are lost in China, one word saves the day.
Didi.
The ride-hailing app becomes your best friend when maps confuse you or language barriers get in the way.
Getting lost becomes manageable when you have the right tools.
Sometimes thriving is not about knowing everything.
It’s about knowing what to use when you don’t.
5. Find Your Community
Moving abroad can feel lonely.
But for me, Toastmasters became home.
Through the Toastmasters community, I didn’t just practice public speaking. I learned about Chinese culture, met incredible people, and slowly began to understand the rhythm of life here.
Along the way, I also found a community of faith, Catholics in Beijing, and Filipino friends who reminded me of home.
Community makes a foreign place feel less foreign.
It reminds you that belonging is something you build.
6. Kindness Is Universal
A stranger helping you with directions.
Someone patiently assisting you.
A man letting you sit down… because he thought you were pregnant. (Yes, that happened. 😅)
A young gentleman giving up his seat on the subway.
Kindness doesn’t need perfect grammar.
It only needs a sincere heart.
I also believe this: you attract your vibe, and you will find your tribe.
7. Authenticity Transcends Language
I realized something powerful.
Even if people don’t fully understand your words, they can feel who you are.
Authenticity is also universal.
Your character speaks louder than your vocabulary.
8. Health Is Not Optional. It’s a Lifestyle.
This one changed me.
Clean and healthy food.
Regular exercise.
Movement as part of daily life.
These are not trends in China. They are basics.
Almost all the people I know are into movement:
running, yoga, pilates, zumba, weightlifting, boxing, badminton… even simple walking.
And after long holidays like Chinese New Year?
They go straight back to the gym. No excuses.
There is discipline. There is awareness.
They also tend to choose tea over coffee, and are generally not into overly sweet food. Many enjoy spicy dishes, but still with balance.
Even snacks are different. Fruits and nuts are the usual go-to, and even cakes often have fresh fruits on top.
They take care of their bodies because they understand that health is wealth.
9. Hot Water, Always
This one surprised me the most.
In almost every restaurant, the default drink is hot water.
Not iced. Not cold.
Hot.
If you want cold water, you have to request it. Bing shui.
At first, I found it unusual.
But later, I understood.
It’s about digestion.
It’s about balance.
It’s about taking care of the body, especially during cold seasons.
And now? I find myself reaching for hot water too.
10. Traditional Healing Still Matters
China has a deep respect for traditional medicine.
And honestly, I’ve experienced its benefits firsthand.
Tuina massage helped me manage stress and body tension.
And when my kids got colds during winter, simple remedies worked wonders:
Dried orange peel.
Radish.
Ginger.
A little honey to sweeten.
Warm. Natural. Intentional.
It’s not just about curing symptoms.
It’s about restoring balance in the body.
11. They Know Their Roots
China has a rich and deeply rooted culture.
People know their history.
Not just in books, but in how they live, think, and carry themselves.
It reminded me how important it is to know where you come from.
12. Discipline with Money
Saving and investing are part of the mindset.
There is long-term thinking.
Less impulse. More intention.
It’s a reminder that stability is built, not rushed.
How to Thrive in China (Practical Tips)
If you’re new here, these will make your life 10x easier:
🔐 Set up a VPN before you arrive
Before arriving at the airport, a friend and colleague already advised me to install a VPN.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to send messages through Facebook Messenger or other apps; only WeChat works without it.
I remember how important that moment was.
When I first arrived in Beijing, I needed to message my husband that I arrived safely.
Having a VPN made that possible.
You can try different services, but I personally found Mullvad VPN to be affordable and reliable.
💬 Set up WeChat immediately
Your all-in-one app: messaging, payments, bookings, groups, everything.
💳 Have Alipay as backup
Sometimes one works better than the other. You need both.
👉 If you’re from the Philippines, you can also use GCash to pay through Alipay, which makes transactions much easier.
🌐 Download a translation tool
Try Google Translate, Pleco, or Baidu Translate
You can also use the built-in Translate app on iPhone.
👉 You can:
• Take a photo and translate text instantly
• Record someone’s voice and get real-time translation
• Reply by recording your own voice
People in China are used to this. Don’t hesitate to use it.
👉 And when words still don’t work?
Context clues. Body language. Tone.
And most importantly, patience is the key.
🚗 Download DiDi Ride-Hailing
Your go-to when you’re lost, tired, or just want a smooth ride home.
📍 Save key locations in Chinese
Take screenshots of addresses in Chinese characters.
English won’t always work.
You can also ask contacts to send a map link or pinned location. It makes navigation much easier.
You can copy it into your maps to check how long it will take and what transportation options are available, or simply copy and paste it into Didi for a direct ride.
🗺️ Use Apple Maps
Very helpful for directions in China.
It shows routes via subway, bus, walking, or ride-hailing apps like Didi.
🗣️ Learn basic survival phrases
Ni hao. Xie xie. Bang mang.
Simple words, big impact.
🔋 Always bring a power bank
Your phone is your map, wallet, translator, and lifeline.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes
You will walk more than you expect. Choose comfort.
🧠 Stay open, not resistant
Observe first. Adapt. Then understand.
The more open you are, the easier everything becomes.
This is what Beijing taught me.
Not just how to navigate the city.
But how to take care of my body.
How to stay grounded.
How to adapt without losing myself.
Because this is the truth:
It’s not just about surviving in a new place.
It’s about learning how to thrive in it.
…and I still have a lot to learn, a lot of places to see, and new people to meet.
Keep going.
Keep learning.
Keep becoming.
#SHEKeepsGoing
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